- How does the hidden timer work?
- When you tap START, JavaScript picks a random number of seconds between your chosen min and max (e.g. 10–45 sec). This number is never displayed — only the ticking sound and pulsing bomb give you a clue. When the countdown hits zero, the explosion triggers instantly. Because the duration is random and hidden, no player can game the timing.
- Is there actual sound? How is it made?
- Yes — the ticking and explosion sounds are generated entirely by the browser using the Web Audio API. No audio files are downloaded; the sounds are synthesised on-the-fly with oscillators and noise buffers. Make sure your device isn't muted for the full effect. The ticking speeds up as the bomb gets "hotter" in the final few seconds to add tension.
- How many players can play?
- Anywhere from 2 to around 20 players works well. Add each person's name before starting. Eliminated players are greyed out and skipped automatically in subsequent rounds. The last player standing wins the game and appears on the victory screen.
- What are the challenge prompts?
- Optional prompts (like "Name a country starting with S" or "Act like a robot") appear at the start of each round and stay visible while the bomb is ticking. They add a layer of challenge — you have to complete the task while frantically passing the device. Toggle them on in Settings and edit the list to suit your group.
- Does this work offline or save any data?
- All game state lives in browser memory — nothing is sent to any server. Once the page is loaded it works without a network connection. No account or login is needed. Refreshing the page resets everything, so save your winner's name if you want a record!